Grain unloading machine



Oct. 7, A. P. BUCK GRAIN UNLOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1946 7Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Hndrcw RWBUCK B his Attorneys MMZMWMM F 1952 A.P. w. BUCK 2,613,003

GRAIN UNLOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invzntor HndrewPW. BUCK By his adomgys Oct. 7, 1952 A. P. w. BUCK 2,613,003

GRAIN UNLOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 lmmniorHndrew) PW. BUCK his Mfume s l I I I lllII M//////% I A 3 n Oct. 7, 19527 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 21,

1m) enter flndreyO PW. BUCK m Q k 4% W J v mm 5 w 2 Q2. x 1 I \mw 1 F I\II 1 bmw -IJIFIiIIII i i [ii I l I! 5 \mm m RYE m Q mxrnw 4 4 1 w F N wm aw mm. W a a s i x H Q G 3 3 2 Fa A. P. W. BUCK GRAIN UNLOADINGMACHINE Oct. 7, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 21, 1946 Inventor Had ho PQA/ BUCK J 15 A Urn 75 Oct. 7, 1952 p, w, BUCK 2,613,003

GRAIN UNLOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21. 1946 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 35 n M B[:UR

Inventor Hndmvb B y his affomgys Oct. 7, 1952 A. P. W. BUCK 2,613,003

GRAIN UNLOADING MACHINE Filed Ja'n. 21, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 lnvcnforFlndmw PW. BUCK B y his AHorn ys Patented Oct. 7, 1952 Andrew P. W.Buck, St. Paul, Minn, assignor of one-half to Walter A. Kostick,Minneapolis,

Minn.

Application January 21, 1946, Serial No. 642,546

5 Claims. (01. 214-44) This invention relates. to a power operated machine or apparatus for unloading grain cars and analogous transportationvehicles, loaded with material in particle form.

The unloading of grain and other material in particle form from railroadboxcars and other elongated transportation vehicles, has presented manydifficult problems. To begin with, the relatively great length of thecarswith thed-oorway disposed'centrally thereof makes impossible thenatural flow of grain or other particlesth'rough gravity and pressurewhen the doors are open beyond only a small percentage of the contentsof the car. When the grain door in the side of a boxcar is opened, thepressure of the grain are pulled towards the doorway by cables or otherendless, flexible means. Most power shovels require the operator tomanually position the shovel itself in the grain before each unloadingpull. A few power shovel mechanisms have included a cable means forretracting the shovel for the next stroke, the cables being guided overpulleys or other means which must be attached to the ends of the carbefore unloading is begun. In such instances, the shovel must beproperly positioned by the operators and the cables often pushed to oneside or distorted to enable the corners of the car and the grainadjacent the longitudinal sides, to be engaged by the shovel. In anyevent, the unloading means and appara- 'tus heretofore utilized forrailroad boxcars, re-

quires one or more operators within the car and at least oneattendantoutside of the car. The time required for unloading theaveragesized railroad boxcar loaded with grain or other light particlematerial, utilizing two power shovels, two operators in the car and athird outside of the car, ordinarily exceeds twenty-five minutes.Utilizing only one power shovel and two or three men an hour if oftenrequired for'oomplete' unloading. The labor cost is therefore, veryhigh, not to mention the financial loss to mills, elevators and railroadcompanies because the cars are tied up" for such long periods duringunloading. Furthermore, the cars are filled with dust during themovement and unloading of grain or other particle material; seriouslymen acing the health of the unloading operators.

V 2 x Very few mencan consistently work at unload,- ing grain oranalogous material for any lengthy period. i

It is an object of my invention to provide a highly efficient,commercially practical machine which will very quickly remove grain andother particle material through the central, vertical doorway of arailroad boxcar or analogous transportation vehi-clewithout requiringthe assistance or presence of an operator within the car during, theentire unloading,

A further object is the provisionofan eiiicient machine of the classdescribed, which will simultaneously remove granular material from bothends of a boxcar, the operation, various: adjustmentsand positioning ofthe unloading elements of my machine being power actuated and readilycontrolled by a single operator positioned outside of the car.

Another object is the provision of a pair of balanced,extensiblesupporting units adapted to operate simultaneously uponopposite ends of the contents of a car for quickly moving the granularmaterial to the center of the car and through the open doorway. l

More specifically, it is an object to provide a grain unloading machinecomprising a head supported to be protracted into the interior of abox-car or the like and carrying longitudinally extensible, supportingunits which carry unloading elementspall in combination with means forsupporting and adjusting said head,'preferably by application of powerto oscillate said head as desired, to change its positionlongitudinallyand transversely of the car and to adjust it verticallywithin the car, for unloading operations.

Another object is to provide in a machine of the type described, a veryefiicientapjplication of mechanical power to operate the unloadingelements.

A still further object is the provision of highly eflicientsupportingmechanism with power adjustments for the operating mechanism, pref.erably in the form of a carriage mounted in close relation to the trackor roa-dbed for the cars and movable transversely to thetrack andcarrying a vertically adjustable, supporting beam from which the head issuspended with power mocha nismxfor oscillating the beam and oscillatingthe supporting headupon the outer end of the beam.

Anotherobject is the provision of a simplified and highly efficientcontrol system for enabling a single. operator to control application ofpower to all working mechanisms of the machine whereby the head carryingthe extensible supence characters refer to similar parts through-- outthe several Views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation with some portions broken away, showing anembodiment of my machine positioned for operation in a railroad boxcar;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine with the central portion ofthe boxcar broken away;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan "view withsome portions broken away;

Fig. 4 is a detailed end elevation showing the adjustable head or huband the longitudinally extensible supporting mechanism for the unloadingelements;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation with some portions broken away,showing the outer end of adjustable king post structure mounted thereon;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken substantially axially of the kingpost;

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken'on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a detail. fragmentary, vertical section showing a preferredconstruction of the telescoping, longitudinally extensible, supportingunits for one of the unloading shovels;

Fig. '11 is a cross section taken on the line lI-H of Fig. 10 with theoutermost sleeve removed; r

Fig. 12 is a detail, plan view of the cap or closure member of the unit,removed;

Fig. 13 is a detail, vertical section on a larger scale, showing thelubricating ports for the plungers and cylinders;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation with some portions broken away, showing thestructure and mounting of one of the unloading shovels and a safetyvalve structure associated therewith;

Fig. 15 is a rear elevation of the same;

Fig. 16 is a detail cross section taken on the line Iii-l6 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is a somewhat diagrammatical view illustrating the front of asuitable control panel and floor for controlling the various workingmechanisms;

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating the control system;

Figs. 20 to 24 inclusive are diagrammatical, top plan views illustratingthe several steps in projecting my unloading mechanism into a boxcar andalso, illustrating the operation and adjustment of the mechanisms duringunloading of the car.

Fig. 25 is a top, perspective view illustrating a plow-like deflectorwhich is preferably a part of my apparatus;

Fig. 26 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 27 is a front elevation of the same; and

Fig. 28 is a side elevation of the same.

Generally stated, my unloading machine, coinprises a variouslyadjustable, supporting head designated as an entirety by the letter Hfrom which is suspended or otherwise supported, in side by siderelation, a pair of oppositely working, longitudinally extensibleshovel-supporting and actuating units U, each of said units in the formof the invention illustrated, comprising a series of horizontallydisposed, telescoping sleeves or cylinders, S-I 8-2, 8-3, 8-4 etc.,actuated in both directions for protraction and retraction, as shown, bypressure fluid means, preferably pneumatic and carrying at their outerends, depending unloading elements E in the form of shovels or plows.The head H is supported for vertical adjustment; for movement oradjustment transversely and substantially longitudinally of a car to beunloaded and is also mounted for oscillatory adjustment on a verticalaxis, as shown, being swivelly supported from the outer end of a large,horizontal beam B which, as shown, is supported from a heavy king poststructure P mounted upon a horizontally movable carriage C which, asshown, is supported upon upper and lower sets of channel rails R.

The supporting beam B, in the embodiment illustrated is constructed froma pair of horizontally spaced metal channel members 30 disposed withtheir intermediate webs vertical and having horizontal top and bottomplates 3! and 32 welded or otherwise rigidly secured thereto. Theattached inner end of beam B as shown, is reinforced by heavy trussbases 33 and said bases and the inner end of the beam are rigidlysecured to a large, vertical'cylinder 34 forming the adjustable part of'a king post structure which is supported from the forward end of thecarriage C. The cylinder 34 in the form illustrated is heavilyreinforced by four, longitudinally extending angle irons 34a spot weldedor otherwise rigidly secured to the external periphery of the cylinderand extending the full height thereof. Beam B and its associated trussbases 33 are secured to the king post by two series of heavyclampingbolts 35 which extend through the vertical webs of beam channelmembers 38. The king post cylinder 3 1 .is closed at its upper end by afixed plug member 36 having an axially recessed lower chamber 36atherein and carrying a heavy, solid, upstanding torque-receiving shaft381;, which, as shown, is splined to a power driven worm gear 31 meshedwith the worm 38 of an electrical beam-adjusting motor MB. The shaft 36bpasses through the top of carriage C and is journaled in suitablebearings 39 mounted axially in a gear casing 40 which is mounted, as isthe motor, upon the frame work of the top of carriage C. The king postcylinder 34 is vertically slldable upon a heavy, stationary piston 4|rigidly attached to the upper end of a heavy, upstanding sleeve 42 hichis rigidly afiixed to the frame work of the bottom of carriage C. PistonM is preferably reduced at its upper end and there carries a pair ofrings 4! a having pump washers or suitable sealing rings applied to theperipheries thereof.

The cylinder 34, as shown, is vertically adjustable through fluidpressure means, preferably by a pneumatic medium supplied through an airline connected with a. source of air under pressure.

5, Airline 43 (see Fig. 1) connects with the. plug-36 of the cylinderand with thepassage36dtherein. A safety release valve 44 also connectswith plug member 36 and the recessed chamber 36a, said valve embodying,as shown, an elbowwith a valve rod 44a disposed at theupper end thereofinposition to abut against one of the top frame members of carriage C toopen the valve and discharge air before the upper end of the cylindercan be elevated into abutment with the top of the carriage. I

Any suitable means for adjustably moving carriage back and forth alongits upper and lower supporting rails B. may be supplied. As shown, astrong cable 45 (see Fig. 1) is trained about a power take-off reel 46drivenat very low speed by a carriage adjusting motor MC andalso aboutan idler pulley 41 at the forward end of the carriage and extendingbelow the carriage with the ends of the cable secured to the transverseshafts upon which the supporting wheels 48 of the carriage arejournaled. I prefer to wrap the cable 45 around pulley 45 in the mannerof a steering wheel windless to make adjustment of the carriage morepositive. 1

Power means are provided for adjusting, by oscillation on a verticalaxis,the head H, To this end, as shown, I provide an electric motor MH(see Fig. 1) mounted within the horizontal beam B as close to the kingpost as conveniently possible and having its rotor shaft driveablyconnected with a transmission, mechanism 49, also mounted within theinner portion of beam B. Transmission mechanism 49 materially reducesthe speed of motor MH and its power takeoff shaft extends verticallyfrom the upper end thereof and has affixed thereto a sprocket aboutwhich is trained an endless roller chain 55 which extends longitudinallyand outwardly through the hollow beam B suitably supported by underlyinglongitudinal, angle guides (see Fig. 6)

and is trained at its outer end about a second sprocket 52 rigidlyaffixed by key or other means to the heavy, upwardly extending stubshaftf53 of head H. d I

The several motors MB and M1 1, previously described, are all of thereversible type and are electrically connected in the circuits as willhereafter more clearly appear for reversing, for ad-.

justment, the important parts withwhich they are associated. Electricalconnections for such motors are clearly diagrammed in Fig. 19.

The stub shaft 53 of the head extends vertically through the beam B andis provided at its medial portion with a threadedly adjustable thrustcollar 53a which is secured by a threaded lock collar 53b forced intoabutment therewith. The stub shaft 53 and head H are supported upon athrust bearing 54 which is mounted within an attachment collar 55 boltedor otherwise secured to the lower, horizontal plate 32 of beam. 13. Theupper end of stub shaft 53 is journaled in a bearing 55a mounted in anattachment collar'l55 which is bolted or otherwise secured in axialalignment with attachment collar 55 to the upper plate 3! of the largehorizontal beam. Head H includes a large, horizontal disc element 51fixedfto' the lower end of stub shaft 53 and underlying a flat annulus58 disposed axially thereof and secured to the underside of the bottombeam plate 32.

metrically of the disc 51 of the head and having supported therefrom, bysuitable means such as the heavy, transverse bolts 6|, the twolongitudinally extensible, shovel-supporting and actuating 'unitsU. Tothis end, the stationary and larger cylinders or sleeves Sl of the twounits, disposed in side by. side relation and opposite endedarrangement, are rigidly fixed to the supporting plate 50. To reinforcesaid stationary sleeves S-l, I prefer to employ the type of corner anglestructure utilized in the attachment of beam B to my heavy king post. Asshown, each of the stationary sleeves S4 of the two units are providedwith four longitudinally extending angle iron reinforcements 62, crosssectionally arranged in the four corners of a square and spot welded orotherwise properly positioned with regard to the periphery of sleevesS-I. A pair of vertical clamping bars 63,. are disposed at the outersides of each of the two sleeves 8-! and are clamped by four of theheavy bolts ill against the reinforcing angle 62 of the sleeves S4 andof course, against the heavy, supporting plate 60 of the head. Out

-wardly of the supporting plate 60 and adjacent the rear and closed endsof the stationary sleeves S-I, one or more pairs of horizontally,disposed,

, clamping plates 64 are provided (see Figs. 4 and bolted thereto.

5) bolted together by pairs of heavy bolts iii and thus clamped againstthe horizontal webs of the angle iron reinforcements 62. d

Fitted within the open end of each of the stationary cylinders orsleeves S-l, I provide a relatively short sleeve member 65 (see Fig. 10)which as hereafter will be more clearly shown, has several functionsincluding the reinforcing of the outer andopen end of stationarycylinder S-l, the provision of a-packing gland between said stationarycylinder and the next, telescoped, extensible cylinder or sleeve 8-2 aswell as to provide an abutment and communication passages for supplyingthe air or other fluid medium against a shoulder of the immediatelytelescoped cylinder to retract the same. Sleeve member 65 is externallyprovided at a zone adjacent the inner end thereof with a circumferentialair distribution passage 65a which communicates through the stationarysleeve S-l, with an air connecting fitting 66 rigidly secured to theunder portion of sleeve S-I. The annular or circumferential airdistribution passage 65a communicates with a series of circumferentiallyspaced passages 65?) formed in the external periphery of sleeve member65. tached to the inner annular extremity of the sleeve member 65, is asuitable packing gland for providing a sealed joint, permissive oftelescoping action, between the short sleeve member 65 and the peripheryof the slidable cylinder 8-2, telescoped therewithin. The said packinggland in the form shown, comprises a cross seotionally angular, pumpwasher 61 held in place against the'said end of sleeve 65 by a clampingring 61a In its cooperative relationship with the stationary cylinder5-1, the slidable cylinder 8-2 is provided adjacent its inner end with asuitable piston structure against which air under pressure reacts toretract the telescoped cylinder 3-2. To this end, asshown, I provide .amain piston or plunger ring 68 which is secured to an anchor ring 68a,welded or otherwise rigidly secured about the slidable cylinder S-2,with a pump leather or the like, 68?), interposed between the two. Asecond pump leather .680 is clamped against the inner annular face ofring 63 by ineans'of a clamping ring 68d, bolts or other suit- Bolted orotherwise atable means being provided in eircumrere'ntiauy spacedrelationship (not shown) and passin through the clamping ring 68d andthe angled -flanges of the pump leathers and being secured into theanchor ring 68a. A rubber cushioning ring 69 is pressed upon the innerend of the sliding sleev -2 just rearwardly of the clamping ring 68d andis of a suitable width tqprotrude beyond the annular extremity of thecylinders-2 to abut against an annular seat 100; provided by a heavydisc closure member which is bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to'thestationary cylinder or sleeve 8-! A second rubber cushioning ring istightly fitted about the telescoping cylinder S-Z just forwardly of theanchor ring 68a and is adapted to abut against the clamping ring 61a ofthe packing gland, fixed to the inner extremity of the reinforcing andair communicating sleeve member 65 of the stationary cylinder S -l. Inthis connection, the said clamping ring 61a is circumferentially notchedin accordancewith the ends of the longitudinal air passages 65a so thatair transmitted may react against thepiston structure 68mounted on theinner end of the telescoped cylinder S-2 to retract the same.

Each of the successively smaller telescoping sleeves S-3, S-"4 and S 5are similarly equipped with piston or plunger structures 68 adjacent theinner ends thereof and the parts of each of said plungers including themain ring 68, the anchor ring 68a, the pump leathers 68b and 680respectively and the clamping rings 68d are similarly numberedthroughout the drawings and refer to similar parts on the severaltelescoping sleeves. Likewise, each of the telescoping sleeves is pro"-vided witha short, reinforcing and air communicating sleeve member 65,fixed in the outer end thereof, and provided with a packing gland andair passages similar to the sleeve 65, first described in connectionwith the stationary cylinder S-l Parts or the sleeve member 65 for theseveral telescoping cylinders and of the packing glands associatedtherewith are numbered similarly in each instance to the parts of thesleeve member 65 and packing gland associated with the outer orstationary sleeve S4.

Referring again 'to the large disc closure member 10, an annular s'eat10a analogous to the seat 70a first described for cooperation with thelarger telescoping cylinder 8-2, is provided for each of thesuccessively smaller telescoping cylinders S-3 to S-5 inclusive. Theclosure member 70 has the dual capacity of constituting an airdistributor head for protracting successively (smaller to larger) theseveral telescoping sleeves or cylinders. To this end, disc 10 isprovided with a central boss 102) which is apertured and tapped to forman axial air passage, said passage communicating within the unit with ashallow, cylindricaljpassage, whichin turn, communicates through severalseries of radially extending ports 10c with the annular grooves orchannels defined between the respective annular seats 10a whichcooperate with the piston structures of the respective telescopingsleeves.

Fig. 13, a detail vertical section on a larger scale, takenlongitudinally of the inner end of one of the shovel actuating units,illustrates a suitable means for lubricating the pistons and internalwalls of the associated cylinders or sleeves S-l to 8-5 inclusive. Asshown, the main piston or plunger rings 68 are each provided with 'acircumferential channel 682 in which is mounted one or more annularlubricating wicks 7 l, lubricant being supplied thereto throughsuittracting the telescoping ones thereof.

able lubricant ports 12 provided through the adjacent pump leathers 630at the top of the cylinder and main piston ring 58 and through clampingrings 6811. A plug member 13 is provided to close each of the ports 72and in Fig. 13, one of said plug members is shown inserted, while in thelarger telescoping cylinder, SJ, the plug is removed to illustrate how agrease gun may be screwed threaded into the passage 52 for applicationof lubricant. Although not shown in the drawings, I prefer to providesimilar lubricating means at the forward portions of each of thereinforcing and air passage forming sleeve 65 for the respectivecylinders 3-! to S-5 inclusive. Valved greased passages not shown indetail, are provided inthis connection.

An air intake fitting 66 similar to the one described for the stationarycylinder SA is provided in theouter end of each of the telescopingcylinders 8+2 to, S 4 inclusive. This fitting has op'eratively connectedtherewith, a pair of angularly adjustable nipples 66a for connectionwith flexible conduits as shown in Fig. 4, to provide for supply ofair-to the several cylinders for re- Fluid, preferably air underpressure, is supplied to the closure disc 10 of each of the two shovelactuating units U by flexible conduits M which, as shown, extend alongthe respective side walls of the supporting beam B and are connectedwith a suitable source of fluid under pressure through control valves,"all of which will be later described. The several fittings 66 for thecylinders S4 to 8-4 inclusive, of each of the two shovel actuatingunits, are supplied with air or other fiuid for retracting thetelescoping cylinders, by means of flexible conduits 15 (one for eachunit), also supported from and extending along the respective sides ofthe beam B and interconnected at their delivery ends with a series offlexible conduit connections 15a between the appropriate nipples 66a ofthe successive fittings 66. The conduit extensions 15a are of sufiicientlength to provide for protraction 0f the telescoped cylinders S2 to 3-5inclusive and when the cylinders are retracted or collapsed as shown inFig. 4, are disposed in depending loops with the nipples 66a adjustedand fixed in the most advantageous angular relation for each fitting tofacilitate folding and unfolding of the extensions during retraction andprotraction of the telescoping sleeves.

The smallest and outermost telescoped cylinder S-5, ofeach of the unitsU has affixed to its outer end, a depending shovel and plowing element Ewhich, as shown, see particularly Figs. 4 to 6 and Figs. 14 to 16,comprise a back plate or mold board (6 with narrow 'side wings 15a atthe longitudinal edges thereof. Shovel element E is supported by aninverted Y-shank 1'! having a vertical stem 11a which is received in atubular socket 18a. Socket 18a, as shown, is integrally formed with anddepending from a horizontal cylinder 18 which is journaled on a stubshaft 79, a bronze bushing 18d being provided in the cylinder. Stubshaft 19 traverses and is journaled in a pair of supporting cars whichextend longitudinally from the outer end of the telescoping cylinder8-5. The stem 71a. is retained rotatively in socket 18a and engages anannular groove in the shank stem 11a. The stem 11a and shovel supportedthereby, are adjustable in a number of angular positions by connectionof a heavy transverse anchor pin BI which is inserted through adiametric passage through the lower portion of stem 11a and throughcorresponding, opposed,

9 circuinferentially spacedholes formed through tubular socket 18a. Theshovel maythus be adjusted at various angulations relative to the axisof its supporting telescoping sleeve -5.

The shovel element E is mounted for inward swinging movement against thetension of a coil spring 82 which is interposed between an abutmentplate 82a and an anchor lug 83 fixed to the bottom of a sleeve 84comprising a portion of the outer tubular end of telescoping cylinderS-5. Spring 82 surrounds an adjustable bolt 85 which extends through avertical slot in anchor lug 83 and which is threadedly orotherwisesecured at its outer end to a boss 18b integrally formed withthe depending tubular socket 18a. The bolt 85 thus limits the outwardswinging movement of the shovel element E beyond substantially thevertical position shown in Fig. 14 while with its associated spring 82,it permits inward swinging of the shovel in the protracting movement ofthe shovel actuating unit.

An exhaust valve structure is provided for controlling discharge of airor other fluid under pressure from the outer end of the innermosttelescoping cylinder 8-5 when the shovel element E is swung inwardly. Tothis end, a valve sleeve 86 is threaded plug-wise into the outer end ofthe sleeve 84 and as shown, is provided with a beveled valve seat 86a atthe'inner end thereof wherein is mounted abeveled poppet valve 81 havingits axial stem, screw-threaded into a piston member 81a and having itsextremity projected beyond the closure 86b of sleeve 86 and rounded toengage a straight cam surface 180 of the mounting cylinder 18. Withinthe sleeve 36 1 a coil spring 88 surrounds the valve stem and isinterposed between an apertured disc 89 and the piston 87a. Thus, itwill be seen that when the shovel element E is swung inwardly againstthe tension of coil spring 82 the valve 81 will be moved from its seat,opening a communication passage between the outer end of the smaller andoutermost telescoping sleeve S-5 and the exterior, through the plugmember 86b which is p'rovided with a series of airports therethrough.

To racilitatethe compact arrangement of the two telescoping units U, theinverted Y-shankfor each shovel is attached to the rear of the moldboard at one side of the vertical center line thereof. It is to beunderstood that the mold board is weighted on the shorter side of the Iattach.

ment shank to be properly balanced in its suspended relation. a

A spring plate-cushioning strip 90 is attached centrally to the rear ofeach of the shovelshaving outwardly bent horizontally extending-wingportions which are adapted to engageagainst the end of a freight car orother body to, cushion the impact of the shovel element and to alsocause the cushioned shovel to swing inwardly releasing the valve 8'! andthereby stopping the outward telescoping action of the outermostcylinder S-E. i

My apparatus preferably, but not necessarily, includes a double-faceddeflector memben'indicated as an entirety by the letter D, as clearlyshown in Figs. 25 to 28 inclusive. The cooperating deflector D ispreferably inthe shapeof e. snow plow having the angularly arrangedWings 9! joining ina concave vertex at their forward edges and defininga suitable triangulated.- base 91a. Suitable framework and reinforcingmeans 92 is provided for rigidly securing the wings together and foralso furnishinga mounting for anaxle 93 to the ends of which, as shown,are connected 10 wheels 93a positioned adjacent the sides and rear ofthe deflector. Preferably, a depending attachment point 94 is providedat the forward, lower tip of the doublespaced deflector, adapted. toengage and slightly penetrate the wooden or other floor of thetransportation unit such as a :freight car. Similarly, the back of thedeflector may be provided with a pair of horizontally and rearwardlyprojecting positioning points 95 for engagement with the closed door ora wall of the transportation vehicle, to prevent lateral shifting of thedeflector during operation of my apparatus. The said cooperatingdeflector D as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 24 of the drawings, is adaptedto be wheeled into a car or other vehicle transversely thereof throughthe doorway and when properly positioned for cooperation, with theopposing shovel elements E, retained in the desired position by droppingthe front end thereof and abutting the rear prongsor' points 95 againstthe doorway or opposing walls. C0- operation of this double faceddeflector materially expedites as will be later more fully shown, themoving and unloading ofthe grain or other material during a considerableportion of the unloading operation.

In Figs. 17 to 19 inclusive, suitable control devices and a controlsystem is shown, which enables an o'peratorto readily control, throughme.- nipulation of hands and feet, from the carriage, all of the poweractuated adjustments of the king post P, the beam B and the oscillatoryhead H as well as the selective operation singly or in unison, of theshovel elements E. It is of course, to be understood that the controlsand system illustrated, are merely exemplary.

As shown, the movement and adjustment of the carriage, is electricallycontrolled by a double acting treadle CT which as shown, isintermediately fulcrumed on the floor of the carriage and carries at itsends, depending rods Hill,

which are connected to a diametrical torque arm I!) liked to a switchshaft [0 la which is adapted to selectively close and open the forwardor reversing circuits of the carriage switch CS shown in Fig. 19.

A similar treadle mechanism PT for operation by the right foot of theoperator, is fulcrumed to the flooras shown inFig. 1'7 and here, thetorque arm oscillates the shaft lllla in either direction and the shaft,as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 19, is connected with. an airvalve for the king post, PV which in one position, connects the conduitor other source of air sup,- ply A under pressure with the air supplyconduit 43 to the king post cylinder. When treadle member CT isdepressed bythe heel of the operator, the air valve PV is turned toconnect the interior of the king post cylinder 34withthe exhaust airlineX-l.

By further reference to Figs. 17 and 18, it will be noted that on thefront panel of a box-like control mounting, 9'1 and adjacent the topthereof, I provide left and right hand oscillatory control handles HYand BY respectively. Control handle HY is normally maintained in thevertical position shown and may be selectively swung clockwise orcounterclockwise to operate selectively the head switch HS (see Fig.19); which controls the swinging of the supporting. head H or" mystructure through power supplied by head motor MH. Control handle BY isalso normally maintained in vertical position, as showmfland may beswung in clockwise or counterclockwise direction, to selectivelyoscillate the king post P and to thus swing thesupporting beam B inopposite directions. Thesaid adjustment of the king post and swingingmovement of beam B is accomplished through power supplied by thebeam'motor MB, the forward and reversing circuits for said-motor beingcontrolled by the switch BS diagrammed in Fig. 19 and which switch isdirectly actuated by the oscillation of the control handle BY- .As shownin Figs. '17 and 18, selective control with a dual passage, cylindricalvalve EV-l which as shown in Fig. 19, may be oscillated by swinging ofthe handle LE clockwise to connect the air or fluid supply pipe A withconduit for supplying air to the several fittings 66 of the telescopedcylinders for retracting the slide cylinders 55-2 to 8-5 inclusive, ofthe left hand shovel actuating unit. In its opposite extreme position,when handle LE is swung counterclockwise, the valve EV-I will connectthe air supply pipe A with conduit 14 for supplying air to the inner andstationary end of the left hand unit U for protracting successively, theslide cylinders S-5, 8-4, S-3 and 8-2.

Similarly, the right hand control handle RE may selectively orsimultaneously with manipulation of handle LE, oscillate a similar dualpassage, air control valve EV-Z for controlling the right hand shovelactuating unit U, and in one position as shown in Fig. 19, connects theair supply pipe A, with the conduit 15 for supplying the outer ends offour of the respective cylinders S-I toe-4 inclusive, for retracting thesliding cylinders 8-2 to 8-5 inclusive, while in its opposite extremeposition, the valve EV-Z connects the source of air supply A withconduit 14 connected with the inner end of the right hand unit U forprotracting successively, the several sliding cylinders 8-5, 8-4, 8-3,and 8-2. It is to be noted that both of the double passage valves HIV-1and EV-Z are associated with suitable exhaust passages LX and RXrespectively to the end that when an inlet air connection is made witheither of the supply conduits 14 and 15 of each of the shovel actuatingunits, the opposite end of the unit is connected to exhaust, therebyremoving all opposition to the desired protraction or retraction of thesliding cylinders.

Referring again to the power control and air connection through conduit43, to the movable cylinder 34 of the king post, it will be noted, seeFigs. 19 and 7, that the air supply conduit 43 communicates with thevalve containing fitting or housing 44 and through the stem of thishousing, to the passage 36a in the heavy plug portion of the stubshaft36.

Operation In operation, my machine or apparatus is adapted to veryquickly, through its selective power adjustments and manipulation andactuating, of the shovel elements E, unload substantially the entirecontents of a grain car or other analogous box-like vehicle containinggranular material.

The carriage C is mounted for power adjustment on its-tracks whichextend at right angles to the rails or roadway asthe case may be, of thetransportation vehicle to be emptied. In grain elevators, it isconvenient to mount the tracks R and the carriage C supported thereon,in juxtaposition and at one side of the elevator leg with the beam Boverhanging the usual grate and grain-receiving pit H0, conventionallyprovided in grain elevators. In Figs. 20 to 24 inclusive, Idiagrammatically illustrate several successive steps which are employedin the positioning of my apparatus as well as in the steps of unloadinggrain or other granular material from a box-like transportation vehicle.

The king post P is first elevated to the desirable extent, dependingupon the height of the top of I the side doorway of the grain car orother vehicle, which as previouslydescribed, is accomplished by theoperator, depressing with his toe, the post adjusting treadle PT Theheavy supporting beam B is then if necessary, angularly adjusted, i. e.,swung on the vertical axis of the king post by manipulating the righthand vertical handle BY which controls the reversing motor MB.

Next, the carriage is advanced towards the doorway by manipulatingtreadle CT to preferably position the outer endof the beam approximatelyas is illustrated in Fig. 20. Simultaneously with the advance of thecarriage, the operator manipulates the head oscillating hand lever HY atthe left side of the vertical control panel to swing the head and unitsU to an acute angled position with reference to beam B for introductionof the units initially into the doorway and with the shovel E of one ofthe units disposed as shown in full lines, in Fig. 20.

The grain door of the car has of course, been previously removed and thegrain or a portion thereof, pressing against this door, has flowed outof the car through the doorway into the pit. The left hand shovel E maynow be actuated as indicated by the progressed dotted lines in Fig. 20through manipulation of th left hand control handle LE at the top of thecontrol mounting. Manipulation of this control handle successivelyprotracts and retracts the shovel actuating mechanism. In theprotraction of the shovel over the grain in the car, the shovel elementE swings inwardly on-its attachment axis against I the resilient actionof the spring 82 and in the retracting action, the shovel is disposedvertically for removing a quantity of the grain. In the successiveinitial operations of the shovel element E, the king post P should besuccessively lowered, which is readily accomplished by the operatorthrough the foot manipulation of the treadle PT.

In the positions of the supporting head and shovel actuating units U,shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 20, a considerable portion of thegrain adjacent the center of the carisremoved by action of one shovelonly. It is usually desirable to oscillate the head H throughmanipulation by the operator of the control handle HY to the angulateddotted line positions shown in Fig. 20, whereupon the actuating handleLE is again manipulated to successively protract and retract theactuating mechanism for the left hand unit U, pulling grain from theright of the doorway.

I have described the usual initial operations of my apparatus by which asubstantial quantity of the'granular material is removed from thecentral part of the car. It now becomes desirable to bodily project thetwo shovel actuating units into the car and to then dispose the samelongioperator through manipulation of the carriage treadle CT to advancethe carriage a few feet (usually three or four) from the full lineposition shown in Figs. 20 and 21.

The next step in introducing the two shovel actuating units into thecar, is illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 22, wherein the supportingbeam B is swung through a slight are by manipulation of the hand leverBY and whereinit will be noted the stationary end of the right handshovel unit U clears the doorway of the car and the left hand unitsupported on head H is projected into the left portion of the grain car.

From this position, as illustrated in Fig. 23, the supporting head. I-Imay be turned by manipulation of handle HY to dispose the two actuatingunits U longitudinally of the car. The shovel elements E maythen besimultaneously and oppositely actuated by manipulating theupper controlhandles LE andRE to successively protract and retract the telescopingunits, thereby pulling grain in each successive retraction, with theshovels disposed vertically from the ends of the car towards the opendoorway. Ordinarily, the unitsare first disposed when simultaneouslyopererated, in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 23 and fulllineposition in Fig. Z4,pulling grain from the ends of the car to thecenter and operating upon the grain closest to the longitudinal side ofthe car having the open doorway. In operating the shovel simultaneouslyas indicated in the dotted and full line positions of Fig. 24, thedouble faced plow-like deflector D is preferably cooperativelyassociated with the shovels and their actuating mechanism althoughI donot wish to be limited to this operating combination as very effectiveresults can be obtained without the use of the deflector although thetime required is greater. In this connection (see Figs. 1 and 24.) thedeflector member D is wheeled into the car transversely thereof andpositioned with its back against the outside longitudinal wall of thecar and fixed upon the depending apex point 94 and the horizontal rearpoints or spikes 95. When so positioned, the grain pulled or shoveledtowards the center of the car, is flungagainst the deflecting wings ofmember D and thereby is deflected removing the grain simultaneously fromopposite ends of the car and particularly, for operating upon thegrainwhich remains close to the outer, longitudinal side of the car. In suchoperation, it is usually desirable to angularly adjust the shovelelements E as shown, in the dotted lines, by removing the anchoring pins8! of each of the shovels and turning the supporting stems 11a of thesupporting shank as desired, in their tubular sockets 13a and thenresettingthe anchoring pins.

It must be remembered that during all of the unloading operations,gravity and the natural flow of grain thereby, is a material factor, thegrain pouring out from the open doorway into the receiving pit i It. Itmust also be remembered that as the top strata of the granular materialare successively removed, the level of the supporting head H and theactuating units U is succesmitts 14 sively loweredthroughlmanipulationof the king post-controlling treadle PT.

The various controls are easily operated and coordinated by a trainedoperator, particularly I since the adjustment of the carriage andvertical adjustment of the king post are controlled preferably by thefeet of the operator while the oscillatory adjustment of the supportinghead and the swingable adjustment of the horizontal beam are controlledby the hands of the operator. There is never occasion to manipulate theshovel actuating controls simultaneously with the manipulation of thepower adjustment and positioning controls.

{The structure of my extensible shovel actuating units and theapplication of fluid under pressure to the telescoping sleeves orcylinders thereof, is of high efiiciency and provides for a very rapidreciprocation of the shovels under the fingertip control er theoperator. In this connection, it will again be noted that ifinadvertently, in the protracting operation of the telescopingcylinders, a shovel is thrust against the end or other wall of the caror against any impediment, its impact is cushioned by the spring clipand immediately, the shovel is swung on its horizontal supporting stubshaft 19 and against thetension of coil spring 82, thereby insuchswinging move-' ment, through pressure of, the cam surface against thestem of poppet valve 81, opening said valve to exhaust air from theoutermost telescoping cylinder S-5 and to thereby, prevent furtherprotraction of the extensible unit. The described mechanism acts quicklyto prevent injury to the endsor Walls of the transportation vehicle.

It will further be seenthat because of the very wide range ofadjustability of the supporting head and the telescoping units carriedthereby, that grain from all corners of the car as well as all otherportions of the car, may be quickly and quite completely removed bypower and with my improved structure, a trained operator can unload alarge sized freight car withits average load of grain in from ten totwelve minutes. Only one operator is requiredin the power unloading andthis operator is seated outside of the car. It is usually desirable toutilize a handyman for removingthe grain door, applying the deflectormember when utilized, and making such. tilted adjustments on the shovelsduring some parts of the operation, as may be desired. This handyman,however, with the operator, remains outside of the car during allunloading operations. From the foregoing description, it will be seenthat *I have invented a highly eflicient, commercially practical machinefor unloading grain andv other material in particle form, from railroadcars and the like. The machine has a high capacity and while in itspreferred form, embodies a number of working mechanisms, it iscomparatively simplified when its many fiu'ictions and advantages,including its several adjustments, are considered. 1

It will of course, be understood that various changes may be made in theform, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts with outdeparting from thescope of my invention.

'What I claim is:

1. A machine for unloading material in particle form from box cars andthe like, comprising a shovel supporting and actuating unit having aseries of horizontal, longitudinally telescoped cylinders, means forretaining and supporting the largest of said cylinders within a car, adepending unloading element supported from the smallest of saidcylinders, pressure fluid means for protracting and retracting. saidtelescoped cylinders longitudinally from said telescoped cylinderslongitudinally from said supported cylinder and an exhaust valve havingan abutment element adapted to. beengaged when said unloading element isthrust against a, wall to discharge, said pressure fluid means andthereby limit protraction of said telescoped cylinders.

2. A machine for unloading material in particle form from box cars andthe, like, having in combination a horizontally extensible, actuatingunit adapted to be disposed in a car, power means for protracting andretracting said unit, a depending, unloading shovel supported fromtheouter end of said actuating unit with freedom for limited inwardswinging in the protraction of said unit and retained in substantiallyvertical position when said unit, is retracted and a cushioning memberon, the outer side or back of, said shovel and an abutment elementretractible by the inward swinging of said shovel to shutoffapplication, of protractive force applied to said unit.

3.. In a machine for unloading materialin par: ticle form from boxcarsand the like, a support mounting adapted to be positioned within themedial portion of a boxcana head iournaled in said mounting in themanner of a turn-table for oscillatory adjustment on a vertical axis, ahorizontally extensible supporting unit secured to said head andextending radially therefrom and who ly supported thereby, a depending,upstanding push shovel connected to the outer end of said horizontallyextensible unit and wholly supported thereby, mechanism for rotativelyadjusting said head from a point removed therefrom and power mechanismfor protracting and retracting said extensible supporting unit foractuating said push shovel to intermittently convey material fromvarious positions within aboxcar to a location substantially below saidhead, and control mechanism for said power mechanism including anabutment element actuated when said push shovel thrust against a, wallto shut oil protracting power.

i. A machine for unloading material in particle form from boxcarsand thelike having in combination, a support mounting adapted to be positionedwithin the medial portion of'a boxcar at a substantial height above thefloor or the car, an adjustable head supported on said mounting, a pairof horizontally extensible supporting units each comprising a pluralityof telescoped sections carried by said head and mounted inside by siderelation and extensible oppositely and substantially diametrically ofsaid head, a, depending upstanding push shovel connected tothe outer endof each of said extensibleunitsand supported thereby, power mechanismfor alternately protracting and retracting said extene sible supportingunits in unison and oppositely, thereby intermittently conveyingmaterial from opposite positions within a boxcar to a location belowsaid head while balancing the operation of and power applied tosaidunits and acoopcrating, upstanding deflector member having a pair ofconverging deflector elements constructed for independent mounting in atransversecentral aa aoos;

position within the car with the, apex of said dee flecton elementsdirected to. a side, doorway of the can a d-with sa e em nt p osedto heath f onveyed part tles,v to deflect th same t wards the doorway andwhereby the simultaneous and opposite. retract Qn of said. two unitsbalance the efiect of particles; pitched against said deflectorelement's.

5- n a m ll n a un dins m e ia i particle form from boxoars and thelike, a horizontally extensible actuating unit adaptedto be disposed ina boxcar, power means for successively and intermittently protractingand retracting said unit, a depending, upstanding une loading shovelsupported from the outer end of said actuating unit and mechanism forcontrol-v ling the application of I power for protracting said unit.including an abutment element mounted adjacent, the outer end of saidunit and retracted when said unloading shovel is thrust against. a wallto shut oii protractin power.

6 In a machine for unloading material in par.- ticle form from boxcarsand the, like, a support mounting, adapted to be positioned within themedialportion of a boxcar, a head journaled in said mounting in themanner of a turntable for adjustment on avertical axis, a pair ofhorizontally extensible supporting and actuating units mounted in sideby side relationship upon said head andtelescopically extensible,oppositely substantially diametrically of said head, adependingupstanding push shovelconnected to the outer end of each ofsaid extensible units and wholly supported thereby, mechanism forrotatively adjusting said; head from a point removed therefrom and powermechanism for alternately protractingand retracting said extensiblesupporting units in unison to actuate said push shovels, therebyintermittently conveying material from opposite positions within aboxcar to a location substantially below said head while balancing theoperation 'ofand power applied to said pair of extensible supportingunits, and control mechanism for limiting the outward or protractedextension of said supporting units, comprising an abutment elementmounted adjacent the outer end of each of said units actuated when thepush shovel adjacent thereto is thrust against a wall to shut oiiprotracting power.

ANDREW P. W. BUCK.

REFERENCES QITED The following references areof -;record; in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

